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Egypt frees alleged Israeli spy Grapel in swap deal Egypt frees alleged Israeli spy Grapel in swap deal
(40 minutes later)
Twenty-five Egyptians freed by Israel have crossed the border into their home country, as part of deal with Cairo in return for the release of Ilan Grapel. Twenty-five Egyptians freed by Israel in a swap have crossed into their home country, in exchange for the release of Israeli-American Ilan Grapel.
Mr Grapel, an Israeli-American, boarded a flight to Tel Aviv and is expected to arrive later on Thursday. Mr Grapel boarded a flight from Cairo to Tel Aviv and is expected to arrive later on Thursday.
The 27-year-old has been held by Egypt since June after being accused of spying for Israel.The 27-year-old has been held by Egypt since June after being accused of spying for Israel.
Israel and his family deny the claims against Mr Grapel, saying he was working for a charity in Cairo.Israel and his family deny the claims against Mr Grapel, saying he was working for a charity in Cairo.
Mr Grapel's relatives say he made no attempt to disguise the fact that he had served in the Israeli army during its war in Lebanon in 2006. 'Fine and smiling'
There has also been widespread scepticism in Egypt that Mr Grapel really was an Israeli spy. Egyptian state television showed some of the Egyptians bowing down in prayer as they arrived on home soil, after passing through the Taba border crossing.
Three minors were the first to cross, according to the Associated Press news agency.
Interviewed by Egyptian television, two of them said they had been arrested after illegally crossing into Israel to sell contraband cigarettes. They said they were not ill-treated while detained in Israel.
Another of those freed, Rabia Suleiman, had been serving a four-year jail term on drugs charges.
Asked what he would do on his return, he said: "I'll come here and find any job, and I won't go back."
Meanwhile, Mr Grapel was handed over to Israeli officials in Cairo, who accompanied him on a flight heading to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport.
Israel Hasson, an Israeli lawmaker who has been involved in the negotiations, told AP that Mr Grapel was "fine" and "smiling".
On his arrival, he will meet his family and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
There is widespread scepticism in Egypt that Mr Grapel really was an Israeli spy, correspondents say.
He was arrested on 12 June and accused of trying to stir up sectarian strife in Cairo on behalf of the Israeli spy agency Mossad.He was arrested on 12 June and accused of trying to stir up sectarian strife in Cairo on behalf of the Israeli spy agency Mossad.
Egyptian state television showed some of the Egyptians bowing down in prayer as they arrived on Egyptian soil, Reuters reports. His relatives say he made no attempt to disguise his identity, including the fact that he had served in the Israeli army during its war in Lebanon in 2006.
The Egyptians had been moved to the Taba border crossing ahead of the swap.
The Egyptian prisoners, which include three children, are believed to be mostly smugglers, asylum seekers and people looking for work.
Israel stressed in its statement that none of the Egyptians had been involved in security-related crimes.
Israel's security cabinet approved the exchange on Tuesday. On Wednesday the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal from a victims' rights group against the swap, saying it was a political decision outside the court's jurisdiction. Israel's security cabinet approved the exchange on Tuesday.
Israel has stressed that none of the Egyptians were involved in security-related crimes.
On Wednesday the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal from a victims' rights group against the swap, saying it was a political decision outside the court's jurisdiction.
A similar appeal against the release of Sgt Gilad Shalit was also rejected.A similar appeal against the release of Sgt Gilad Shalit was also rejected.
Last week Israel released the first batch of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli soldier.Last week Israel released the first batch of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli soldier.
He had been held by the militant group, Hamas, which controls Gaza, since 2006.He had been held by the militant group, Hamas, which controls Gaza, since 2006.
It appears the deal to release Mr Grapel was negotiated around the same time as the Shalit exchange, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem.It appears the deal to release Mr Grapel was negotiated around the same time as the Shalit exchange, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem.
It shows that Egypt is still capable of dealing with Israel on business-like terms and reminds regional rivals such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia that Cairo's influence is real, despite the change of government, our correspondent says.It shows that Egypt is still capable of dealing with Israel on business-like terms and reminds regional rivals such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia that Cairo's influence is real, despite the change of government, our correspondent says.